Effect of high-intensity interval training on treadmill exercise with changes in inclination on serum IL-6 levels in overweight/obese men

Abstract

Background: Obesity and overweight conditions showed an increase in plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations associated with fat mass. Adipocytes produce the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6, which plays a pathogenic role in chronic disease. Increased levels of inflammatory cytokines continuously cause cardiovascular complications, metabolic problems, and even death. Physical exercise is one of the treatments for overweight and obesity that, if done regularly, can reduce the basal value of IL-6. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a form of high-intensity exercise that recruits larger muscles than moderate-intensity training so that it will have an effect on increasing levels of IL-6 acute response and can reduce basal IL-6 levels with a relatively shorter duration of exercise. Objective: To analyze changes in basal serum IL-6 levels and acute responses before and after high-intensity interval training treadmill exercise with changes in inclination for four weeks in overweight or obese men. Methods: The study was conducted from October to November 2020. Twenty-two overweight or obese men were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group. The group did HIIT using a treadmill with incline changes for 30 minutes for 4 weeks. The control group did not receive intervention and was educated to continue physical activity as usual. Measurement of IL-6 levels was carried out before and after treatment. Results: The administration of the HIIT intervention for 4 weeks can reduce basal IL-6 levels. There was a significant decrease (p = 0.04) in the basal IL-6 after the intervention. Likewise, the comparative analysis between the two groups showed a significant difference in reduction after the intervention (p = 0.000). The delta glass effect size obtained a value of 0.866728, which indicates a large effect. Conclusion: HIIT can be proposed as an exercise therapy option to reduce basal IL-6 levels in overweight or obese men.